Wednesday, December 30, 2015

When I selected WILD as my One Little Word for 2015, I had in mind that this word would guide me in my "return to a natural state." I cut way back on public appearances this year, learned better how to say "no" and to be more mindful of how I am spending my days/hours/minutes. I've really focused on being present -- here, now. (How wild is that? For a human, I mean. Wild creatures live their whole lives that way!)

As I reflect now on my experiences, I am thrilled with what I've learned about myself and where this word has brought me. I love my quiet life. I love spending time with my family and writing what I want to write and taking naps and cooking (or not) and creating and reading and walking -- focusing on the moment, not what may or may not come after. That's the WILD element I want to preserve in my life as I move into a new year with a new word and two new books to deliver to the world.

Before I say a final goodbye to WILD, I'm delighted to share with you a WILD poem written by Laura Shovan, my wonderful Winter Poem Swap partner (whose debut is coming very soon)! The poem was inspired in part by Monet's "Train in the Snow," which was thoughtfully shared by the Poem Swap Queen herself, Tabatha Yeatts:

Triolet with Train and TigerFor Irene's Wild Year

by Laura Shovan

I came to watch the circus train
plunge through the snow-filled night.
Its steam white as the cold terrain.
I came to watch the circus train.
Inside, a tiger pulls her chain
to peer at fields moon-bright.
I came to watch the circus train
plunge through the snow-filled night.

*Shared with permission from the author.
Thanks, Laura! What a lovely keepsake. I love that idea of the tiger pulling a chain to glimpse outdoors. Of course she would! And thanks, Tabatha, for this meaningful and fun tradition.

Monday, December 28, 2015

So, it's been a while since I've posted a Movie Monday! I only post about movies I really, really enjoy, and for 2015 that's only been nine movies. Nine!

Granted, there are a few releases that never came to Birmingham (BROOKLYN, anyone?), and there are a few just released or releasing soon that I'll want to see before the annual awards shows. But all in all, I'd say 2015 had been kind of meh for movies.

But not STAR WARS. It was wonderful! We readied ourselves by watching all previous 6 the week before heading to the theater so everything was fresh -- and youngest son has been so into it! Fun. (I got to tell him about standing in line with my family to see RETURN OF THE JEDI. Oh the nostalgia!)

I'll just leave you with a few thoughts:

If you haven't seen the movie yet, you are going to love new heroine Rey.

You'll love the new characters, too, but especially Rey.

The continuation of the Han Solo, Princess (General!) Leia and lost Luke Skywalker storylines were all just right.

The moment when Han and Leia meet again? PERFECT.

I don't want to give anything away for anyone who hasn't seen yet but I will say, this movie tapped into a whole other level of my emotions about parenthood.

AND: My sister who is an uber-Star Wars fan said it was better than all the prequels.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Here at Live Your Poem, we've been celebrating the season with 12 Days of Kindness. Each day I've been posting a quote on kindness that speaks to me. The fun part has been pairing the quote with images! Instead of asking you to click and click and click, you will find all the images here (plus a couple of extras!). Enjoy!

Now for a poem! I've been reading and loving FLUTTER & HUM: Animal Poems by Julie Paschkis. Lots of wonderful poems... and the art! Also, each poem is displayed in Spanish as well as English. I found it fascinating that the author actually composed the poems in Spanish first -- even though she is not Spanish speaking. Now that is the power of poetry, my friends!

One of my favorite poems in the book is this one:

Crow

on this gray day
on this gray street
the black crow caws.

He hops,
stops,
and stares
at a yellow umbrella -
the only sun shining
today.

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Words to Live By

"Err on the side of love." - my Mama

"Life isn't about finding yourself.Life is about creating yourself."- Anonymous

“Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love,and love what you write.The key word is love.You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for.”- Ray Bradbury